Flushing apparatus



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which vincludes the engine jacket.

Patented Nov. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y v '2,388,833 IFLUsHING ArPARATUs V William 3. Dunn, Lake charles, La. ApplicationSeptember 1, 1943, Serial No. 500,857

' 'z claims. 001.1345169) This invention relates to means for flushingthe radiators of automotive vehicles and the like.

A: main object of the invention is to provide means whereby an improvedushing action is obtained by imparting a surging or agitating eie'ctv tothe flushing uid while the latter is in flow through the radiator andWithout the necessity ofdismounting the radiator. How this object may beobtained will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawing inwhich: l Figure 1 shows in elevation a radiator in process of flushingin accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an axial section on an enlarged Vscale of a flushing devicewhich appears in Fig# ure 1;

connections I 2 and I3 through which the radiator is normally connectedinto the circulatory system The hose sections which normally connect theradiator connections and the engine are removed in Figure 1, the topconnection is closed as by a plug I d,v and the bottom connection hasassociated therewith a ilushing device I5 in accordance with theinvention.

This device comprises an inner tubular portion I6 which can be of anysuitable material. Conveniently, it may be constituted by a section ofJust outwardly of its end I'I portion I6 has connected into it a hollowL-shaped fitting I8 whose branch portion I9 is equipped with a swivelledhose connector 20. Working in the cylindrical portion 2| of the tting isa valve 22 carried on a stem 23 which is threaded in an end bushing 24.In the position shown in Figure 3 the valve 22 blocks the portion 2I inadvance of the branch I9, but by threading the stem outwardly the branchcan be fully freed for ilow. Toward its outer end portion I6 is providedwith lateral openings 25.

Embracing the inner tubular member I6 is an outer tubular member 26which may also be a section of radiator hose, there being a substantialow clearance ZIbetween the two portions. 'Ihe outer end of portion 26has fixed thereto aV c10- sure cap 28 which carries a piston 23 by meansof a rod 30, the piston being adjacent the inner end 3l of the outerportion and being substantially smaller than the inner diameter oftheinner portion so that a substantial ilow clearance 2 9 is presentbetween the two.

With the device I5 applied tothe lower hose connection I3 in the mannershown in Figure 1 and valve 22 in the position shown in Figure 3, wateris continuously run into the lling neck I`I from a hose 32. The plungerconstituted by the outer portion 26 and the piston 23, or either ofthem, is now reciprocated, but without such an extent of' outwardmovement as to cause the openings 25 to be uncovered by the outerportion 26. During this time outow from the radiator continues betweenthe piston 29 and portion I6 andbetween the latter and portion 26although the plunger means imparts a surging or agitating eect to theliquid ilowing through the radiator with the result that accretions areloosened `and carried downward by the flow. After several re-Yciprocations, portion 26 is moved outwardly sufradiator to drain vmorefreely for a period.

Splash from the openings 25 is restrained bya tubular guard 33 xedaround the inner endr of portion 26. The reciprocating and drainagevactions are repeated as many times as necessary.

Under some conditions the cleaning operation can be facilitated byintroducing flushing fluid through the lower hose connection, and inthis case the hose 32 is engaged with the tting I8 through the coupling26 and valve 22 is retracted so as to permit free now to the interior ofportion I6, portion 26 being held substantially in the relation shown inFigure 2. This will usually loosen a badly clogged radiaator andthereafter the hose is transferred to the lling opening and the agitatorused as above described.

The purpose of plugging the upper hose connection is, of course, toprevent wasting of the ushing fluid through the engine jacket and thisresult, of course, can be secured otherwise. For example, the upperconnection can be pinched, or the lower radiator hose can be pinched orplugged after detachment from connection I3 so as to prevent flowthrough the engine jacket. Or the radiator cap can be left in place andthe flushing hose slipped over the top connection. The invention is, ofcourse, not limited to the procedure and apparatus which have beendeance between said tubular portions being in communication with theinner tubular portion at the end thereof adjacent the closingv meansvfor escape of the iiushing uid through said clearance.

2. A device for use in flushing a ing a, top opening for a flushingfluid and having a bottom connection, said device comprising an innertubular portion engageable with said connection, said tubular portionbeing open from end to end for flow of the iiushing fluid therethrough,and an outer tubular portion reciprocable over said inner portion withflow clearance betweenv the two portions, and means closing the outerend "of said outer portion, the iiow clearance between said tubularportions being in communication with the inner tubular portion at theend of the latter adjacent the closing means for escape of theY flushingiiuid through said clearance, said inner portion having a lateral escapeopening outwardly of the normal reciprocating range of said outerportion. l

3. A ,device for use in flushing a radiator -having a top opening for aflushing fluid and having -a bottom connection', said device comprisingan inner tubular portion engageable with said connection, said tubularportion being open from end to end for iiow of the flushing fluidtherethrough, and an outer tubular portion reciprocable over Vsaid innerportion with iiow clearance between the two portions, means closing theouter end of said outer portion, the ow clearance between said tubularportions being in communication with the inner tubular portion at theend ofthe latter adjacent the closing means for escape of the flushingfluid through said clearance, and a valve-controlled hose connectioninto said inner portion inwardly of the normal reciprocating range ofsaid outer portion.

radiator hav- 4. A device for use in ushing a radiator having a topopening for a ushing fluid and having a bottom connection, said devicecomprising an inner open-ended tubular portion engageable with saidconnection, and an outer tubular portion reciprocable over said innerportion with ow clearance between the two portions, means closing theouter end of said outer portion, and a piston carried by said outerportion and working in said inner portion with ow clearance between itand saidmner portion- 5. A device for use in ushing a radiator having atop opening for a iiushing fluid and having a bottom connection, saiddevice comprising an 'inner open-ended tubular portion engageable withsaid connection, and an outer tubular portion reciprocable over saidinner portion with flow clearance between the two portions, meansclosing th'e outer end of said outer portion, and a piston carried bysaid outer portion and working in-said inner portion with flow clearancebetween it and said inner portion, said piston being ad'- jacent theinner end of said outer portion. y

6, A device for use in lushinga radiator having a top opening for aflushing fluid and having a bottom connection, said device comprising aninner open-ended tubular portion engagea-ble with said connection, andan outer tubular portion reciprocable over said inner portion with flowclearance between the two portions, means closing the outer end of saidouter portion, said inner 4portion having a lateral escape openingoutwardly of the normal reciprocating range of said outer portion, and apiston carried by said outer portion and working in said inner portionwith flow clearance between it and said inner portion-said piston beingadjacent the inner end of said outer portion. v

7. A devicevfor use in flushing a radiator having a top opening for aushing uid and having a bottom connection, said device comprising` aninner tubular portion engageable with said connection, an outer tubularportion surrounding ,said inner portion with flow clearance between thetwo portions, means closing the outer' end of said outer portion, alateralopening'in said inner portion connecting the interior of saidinner portion with said clearance, and a piston in said inner portionreciprocable past said lateral opening. l

WILLIAM J. DUNN.

